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HANOVER TWP. — Authorities on Monday exhumed the remains of a man found dead along Interstate 80 more than 20 years ago, hoping technological advances might finally be able to unravel the mystery.

“Our ultimate goal is for identification of that individual,” said State Police Cpl. Shawn Williams.

The partially decomposed remains of a black male were discovered along I-80 in Luzerne County in September 1996. A PennDOT driver spotted the body along the shoulder of the westbound lane between the Hazleton and White Haven exits, according to a Times Leader article.

Officials from the State Police’s Forensic Services Unit arrived at the man’s grave in Maple Hill Cemetery on Monday morning. A tractor removed a large portion of the soil before officials removed the rest with shovels.

Crews then used a chain to remove the concrete cover from the grave’s vault. The remains, which appeared to be in a large black bag, were lifted from the grave and taken away.

Kelsee Hentschel-Fey, a forensic anthropologist from the University of South Florida, assisted with the exhumation. She explained that exhumations have to be methodical as to not lose any evidence that may be needed in a court proceeding. Hentschel-Fey and other officials took notes, measurements and photos throughout the process.

When the man was found along I-80, authorities took fingerprints and other limited samples.

Now, officials will seek to refine the individual’s age estimation, as well as complete a “bio profile” to determine ancestry and stature, according to Hentschel-Fey.

Officials also hope to create a digital reconstruction of the man’s face.

“We are really trying to throw everything science has to offer at this case,” she said. “We will also do what we call isotope testing, trying to see if this individual was from here, or … non-local.”

Cpl. Williams is also hoping the exhumation might catch the attention of a law enforcement agency somewhere that might be investigating a missing person’s case.

A positive identification could also encourage family members to come forward.

While he was hopeful modern technology could be a big help, Luzerne County prosecutor Sam Sanguedolce said the case faces other challenges.

“While the technology has greatly advanced … the problem then is, of course, witnesses that might know anything can die or disappear,” he said.

Sanguedolce also said the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office is working with State Police to pass legislation to set standards on how to handle these sorts of cases.

Philadelphia, he explained, typically cremates unidentified bodies due to lack of manpower and the sheer number of cases like this.

“Some departments do absolutely nothing,” Sanguedolce said.

Previous exhumations

Officials previously exhumed three adults from the cemetery on Sept. 26, while the remains of an infant boy were exhumed that same day in Courtdale.

At a forensics workshop the following month at the University of South Florida, investigators unveiled facial reconstructions of the adult victims. The approximations were created by forensic artists from around the country.

Hentschel-Fey said the University of South Florida, based in Tampa, has a great working relationship with Pennsylvania State Police.

One of the bodies exhumed previously could be identified in the near future, according to Cpl. Williams.

Troopers exhume the body of an unidentified male found along Interstate 80 more than two decades ago from a grave in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Hanover Township on Monday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_TTL042517exhumation1-2.jpg.optimal.jpgTroopers exhume the body of an unidentified male found along Interstate 80 more than two decades ago from a grave in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Hanover Township on Monday. Sean McKeag | Times Leader

Officials examine an exhumed body in Maple Hill Cemetery before it is removed from the area. Travis Kellar | Times Leader
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_BODY-2.jpg.optimal.jpgOfficials examine an exhumed body in Maple Hill Cemetery before it is removed from the area. Travis Kellar | Times LeaderSean McKeag | Times Leader

State Police hope to identify a body exhumed from the Maple Hill Cemetery in Hanover Township.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_TTL042517exhumation2-2.jpg.optimal.jpgState Police hope to identify a body exhumed from the Maple Hill Cemetery in Hanover Township. Sean McKeag | Times Leader

By Travis Kellar

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Reach Travis Kellar at 570-991-6389 or on Twitter @TLNews